Heavenly Lettuce

Crisp. Moist. Refreshing. Naturally tasteless. For a person without smell or taste, this is as good as it gets. Since I lost my sense of smell and have yet to find it, I’ve been searching for foods that have interesting texture rather than flavor, since the flavor is lost on me. In fact, foods that naturally lack flavor, such as white rice or lettuce, tend to be more pleasing to eat, since I don’t feel the loss of taste as much when I eat them (as opposed to garlic bread, ice cream, and pizza, whose present lack of flavor only serves to depress me).

The one problem with lettuce is that it must be eaten raw, and that’s a no-no for an immuno-compromised person such as myself. Peeling and/or cooking fruit and vegetables is what ensures the harmful bacteria residing on their surfaces die a slow and painful death. Unfortunately, lettuce has no skin to peel, and have you ever tried to cook lettuce? I don’t recommend it.

This week I practically begged my doctor (for the thirtieth time) for the green light to eat this forbidden veggie, as well as raw tomatoes (another one of my cravings), and she finally gave in, with a strict warning that I pick an unbruised specimen and wash it thoroughly before consuming. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but in my mind, that was practically an invitation to get some In N Out, which is exactly what Zack and I did. One order of protein-style (so I could better enjoy the crispness of the lettuce) with grilled onions and well-done fries, and I was a happy woman. I only wish I got the double.